Foothills of the Himalaya

Welcome to Delhi. There are free transfers for everyone today from the airport to the hotel – check the Joining Instructions for details on how to book. The afternoon is at leisure and we have a welcome briefing later today, a good chance to get to know each other a little better and chat about our adventures ahead. Classic accommodation: Hotel Bel Morris (or similar)

After breakfast, we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to New Delhi railway station, where we take the train (4hr 45min) to the city of Haridwar. Upon arrival, we continue by road to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills. This spiritual city is considered the yoga capital of the world, but also an adventure hot spot, acting as a gateway to the Himalaya. In the afternoon, we take a leisurely 1mi (2km) stroll from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula, two iconic iron and cable suspension bridges that cross the holy Ganges River. We end the day at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, watching an evening arti (a Hindu worship ritual, in which light plays an important role). Classic accommodation: Shivansh Green Resort (or similar)

Head to the eastern bank of the Ganges this morning to visit Swarg Ashram, a complex of ashrams and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu deities, who are depicted through exquisitely carved statues. We also visit what’s left of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, where the Beatles stayed in 1968 and wrote songs for the White Album. After years of neglect, the ashram is now a melancholic set of semi-ruined buildings with interesting graffiti, though work is underway to renovate the property. Classic accommodation: Shivansh Green Resort (or similar)

We drive to Shimla after breakfast, a journey that takes seven to eight hours, but we have stops along the way. One of those is a visit to the Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, built in memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last human Sikh Guru. Here he is said to have written the Dasam Granth, a sacred collection of writings, plus we can see a palki (palanquin) made of gold. After, we head to the She Haat Café in Sarahan for lunch. This vital women-run cooperative serves traditional Pahari food and was created to provide financial stability and independence to women living in rural areas. This afternoon, we continue our drive to Shimla and check into our hotel, where we spend the next three nights. Shimla was once the summer capital of the British Raj, who moved here for relief from the scorching heat of the plains. Classic accommodation: Zion Hotel (or similar)

We explore Shimla today. Our first stop is the Sankat Mochan Temple, which is located amid verdant greenery and dedicated to Hindu deity Hanuman. After, we drive to Shimla railway station to take the Viceroy’s Toy Train to Tara Devi station in the town of Kalka. Our 50-minute journey is a memorable one, as the train steadily rolls through pine forests, which open to valley and hill villages. After disembarking, we transfer a little further up the hill for a picturesque view of Shimla followed by a short scenic walk back to our vehicle. After, we transfer (40 minutes) to Shimla’s most impressive monument: the Viceregal Lodge, a seat of imperial power and location for crucial talks prior to independence. The building is now called the Indian Institute for Advanced Studies and is used by scholars, though the woodwork inside is kept as it was during British rule. In the afternoon, we visit the Sanat Art Foundation. This gallery and residence for artists has a scenic spot among pine and cedar trees with a view of Chedwick Fall. During our trip, we enjoy tea and see the varied and well-displayed art collection. Classic accommodation: Zion Hotel (or similar)

Take a one-hour transfer to the Fagu viewpoint after breakfast, where we see apple plantations, sowing fields and the snow-covered Himalaya. We then drive back to Shimla and visit the Lower Bazaar and Lakkar Bazaar, which cling to the hillside and show Shimla at its most vibrant. We also take a leisurely stroll along the Mall Road (the main thoroughfare in Shimla) to Scandal Point – make sure to ask your tour leader about the name. En route, you can take a look inside the historic Gaiety Theatre or the neo-gothic Christ Church. Alternatively, find a spot for refreshments while viewing snowcapped Himalayan peaks, if the weather is clear. Classic accommodation: Zion Hotel (or similar)

An early morning drive (seven hours including lunch stop) takes us to Palampur in the Himalayan foothills, which is surrounded by tea estates, pine and deodar forests, and historic temples. This hill station is blessed with a temperate climate and verdant landscape, interspersed by narrow rivulets and streams. Here you can marvel at the snowy peaks of the Dhauladhar range (part of the Himalaya) or take invigorating nature treks through the numerous trails. In the evening, you can join an optional walk through the forest villages to a nearby stream. Taking one to two hours (depending on the group’s pace), the adventure allows us to chat to the local people and hear about their daily lives. Superior accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

Home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala is a spiritual town. Here, we visit the Gyuto Tantric Monastery Temple, whose monks have a unique chanting style where they use their throats for amplification, causing an almost hypnotic effect on the listener. After, we visit the Norbulingka Institute, a tranquil space resembling a Japanese garden with neat winding stone paths, plus different workshops dedicated to Tibetan art and craft. Later, we continue to the Tibetan Museum, Namgyal Monastery (Dalai Lama Temple Complex), and Church of St John, which resides in a pine forest. We then have a walking tour of Naddi, a forest-wrapped village with views of the Dhauladhar mountains. Walking through the narrow lanes of the village, you can observe the simplicity of the daily life here and admire traditional architecture. We see villagers engaged in farming, tending to their livestock and performing daily chores. Following our visit, we drive (1hr 30min) back to Palampur. Superior accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

Today is about choosing your own adventure. Optional activities, which you can book at the resort, include an immersive village walk, bird-watching trek, pottery and handloom weaving experience, an authentic Himachali culinary experience, or a guided yoga session. Accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

We drive (six hours, not including the comfort stops en route) to Amritsar. Founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, it is now the second-largest city in the Punjab state and important to the Sikh religion. The main attraction is the Golden Temple, one of the most revered sites in the Sikh religion. The city itself is named after the sacred tank (or Amritsar Sarovar) within, which is said to have healing powers. In the afternoon, we visit a local Punjab village for a slow-paced exploration. Our tour starts with a tractor ride to a nearby farm to enjoy a sunset over the fields. We then gain a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle, interacting with the residents and watching (and joining) fun demonstrations. Classic accommodation: BluSalzz Residence Amritsar (or similar)

We visit the Jallianwala Bagh memorial park this morning, the site of an infamous massacre, in which hundreds of innocent Indians were killed and wounded by British troops in 1919. After, we head to the Golden Temple. Heavily gilded and beautifully decorated, it is surrounded by a sacred pool and reached by a white marble causeway. Inside is the Guru Granth Sahib, holy book of the Sikhs. Take in the beauty and serenity of this very welcoming temple before visiting the community kitchen, which is manned by volunteers who feed up to 100,000 people every day. After our visit, we have free time to explore the local market. Later, we drive to a stadium on the India-Pakistan border to witness the Beating Retreat ceremony, which takes place at sunset. During this event, the Border Security Force on the Indian side and the Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistani side put on a well-coordinated and spectacular display. Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on, marking the end of the day. Around 9pm, there is an option to return to the Golden Temple to witness the Palki Sahib ceremony, in which dozens of devotees act as a human conveyor belt to carry the Granth Sahib (a shrine containing the Adi Granth) from the main shrine to the sanctum, where it is kept until the opening ceremony the following morning. You may participate in the ceremony, taking your turn to shoulder the weight of the enormous shrine. Classic accommodation: BluSalzz Residence Amritsar (or similar)

We enjoy a cold breakfast at our hotel this morning before taking the 8.20am Vande Bharat Express train from Amritsar to Delhi. Arriving around 1.50pm, we are transferred (1hr 30min) to our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax. There’s plenty to enjoy at the hotel, including rooftop dining and swimming with views over the city. There’s also Airia Mall next door with plenty of shopping and entertainment options. Classic accommodation: Rhythm Gurugram Hotel (or similar)

Our adventure through North India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.